Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

Language and Communication (PhD/MPhil)

Programme Aims

To offer knowledge and expertise in a range of research areas listed below.

Special Features

• We offer involvement in a wide range of staff research projects and some opportunities for teaching on the undergraduate programme
• We also run regular research seminars for postgraduate students
• There are excellent laboratory facilities for PhD projects involving media and computer technology
• Full-time PhD students are allocated study spaces with computing facilities, networked information and access to email and the internet
• PhD students are also eligible to apply for conference travel funding

Programme Description

The Centre for Language and Communication Research is one of the foremost international Centres for research, research training and teaching in social, applied and interactional areas of human communication, language and linguistics. The Centre carries excellent ratings for its research from the most recent (2007) Research Assessment Exercise, in which the research environment was classified as ‘World Class’ (4*). The very high quality of the environment and of our research training means that we now form part of the new Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Wales Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) and can offer 1 + 3 ESRC funded studentships. In pursuing your postgraduate research at the Centre you will join this excellent research environment.

For further information about our PhD programme and for a list of staff and their research interests, please visit the School’s website.

We offer knowledge and expertise in a range of areas:

• Sociolinguistics
• Media communication
• Corpus linguistics
• Health communication
• Multimodality
• Professional and workplace communication
• Discourse analysis
• Systemic functional linguistics
• Language education
• Applied linguistics
• Phonology
• Language in legal settings
• Interpersonal and intergroup communication
• Formulaic language
• Global Communication

Skills Acquired

Through the MA in Language and Communication Research, as well as the training programmes offered by Cardiff University’s Graduate College, PhD students obtain a wide range of research related skills throughout their doctoral programme. A recognised higher education teaching qualification is also offered: Learning to Teach.

Career Prospects

In 2010, 73% of postgraduates in the School were in a form of employment within six months of graduation while 20% were engaged in further study.

Employers included: local government departments, police forces, secondary schools, language schools, universities, banks, solicitors and utility companies.

Career destinations included: crime intelligence analyst, lecturer, teacher, programme administrator, research assistant and writer.

Student Testimonial

"I studied for my Masters in Applied Linguistics in Centre for Language and Communication Research. I had a fantastic year both socially and academically. I have no doubt that the year I spent studying for my MA was probably one of the best years I have had at university. Like most students I avoided thinking about what I was going to do after my MA. Whilst completing my final dissertation I began thinking about doing a PhD. I had enjoyed the research based part of the MA and had always enjoyed the academic work. At this stage I had no idea what I would research. Everyone in the department was supportive and helped in every way possible. I was lucky to be awarded the ESRC quota award and started my PhD in 2008. I submitted my PhD thesis in October 2012 and am awaiting my viva.

Overall, I enjoyed the independence that studying for a PhD affords, but appreciated the structure, guidance and support mechanisms that the department has in place. The Centre for Language and Communication Research is a very friendly, supportive and relaxed department in which to study. It’s small enough to know everyone and be familiar with their research areas and interests. Combined with the high level of research being produced by everyone in the department, it’s a great place to study!"Charlotte Selleck, PhD student

Entry Requirements

A First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or equivalent is normally required, in a suitable field (such as Linguistics, Communication, Media Studies, Languages, some Social Sciences, English Literature and Humanities).

All PhD candidates are normally required to take the MA in Language and Communication Research during their first year of candidature and obtain a minimum of 60%.

For non-native speakers of English, an IELTS of 7.0 or more is essential.

In the research proposal (around 1,000 words, 3-4 pages) please outline your rationale, proposed methodology, and research objectives, including a short bibliography. This should be appended to your application.

In your personal statement, we would like you to tell us about why you are applying for a PHD – what your current situation is, whether you need a PhD for your own personal development, or for professional reasons, what your experience has been to date as a student/researcher/teacher in the area of English Language and Communication, and why you have chosen Cardiff as an appropriate research environment for your particular area of interest.

In addition to the research proposal and personal statement you will need to provide two academic references and copies of degree certificates and transcripts.

Note: International students pursuing part-time programmes of study are not eligible for Tier 4 General Student) visas and must have alternative leave to remain in the UK if they intend to study at the University in person.

Next intake: The University has four entry points for research degrees; 1st October, 1st January, 1st April or 1st July

More information

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